Good Bad Billionaire – Preview: More Tales of the Megarich

BBC World Service | September 19, 2025
Hosts: Simon Jack & (likely Zing Tsjeng, misidentified as “Xing Singh” in transcript)

Episode Overview

This teaser episode introduces the upcoming season of Good Bad Billionaire, a BBC podcast delving into the journeys, ethics, and legacies of the world’s billionaires. Hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng preview new stories, intriguing personalities, and unique global perspectives on wealth, power, and philanthropy. Their central challenge to listeners remains: after hearing these stories, do you consider these billionaires good, bad, or “just another billionaire”?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What is Good Bad Billionaire?

• The podcast aims to “dig into how the world’s billionaires built their fortunes, charting their rise from zero to a million, then from a million to a billion” (Simon Jack, 02:25).
• Listeners are invited to reflect on each billionaire’s character and impact, debating ethics, methods, and influence.

Central Questions of the Podcast

• “Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire?” (Zing Tsjeng, 02:33)
• The show explores not just accumulation, but what the super-rich do with their power and money.

The Growth of Billionaire Wealth

• Simon Jack highlights:

  “The world’s billionaires now control an estimated $16 trillion in combined wealth, more than the GDP of every country on earth except the US and China.” (Simon Jack, 02:38)

• Emphasizes the growing concentration of wealth and the necessity of this kind of scrutiny.

What’s Coming in the New Season?

• Deep dives into iconic and sometimes surprising figures:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger: From Hollywood and politics to the billionaire club.
  • David Geffen: The legendary music and film producer.
  • Ronnie Screwala: Bollywood’s first billionaire.
  • Sarah Blakey: Innovator behind Spanx shapewear empire.
  • Luciana Benetton: Co-founder of the fashion label Benetton.

• Other sectors featured include:
  AI, aviation, property, online retail, shipping, steel, sports, circus, and tech startups (Simon Jack, 03:16).

• Notable anecdotes:

  • Profiles include:
    • “One tech founder who was once the youngest billionaire in the world.”
    • “One whose startup landed them in jail.” (Zing Tsjeng, 03:25)

• Listener influence:

  “We’ve included several billionaires suggested by you, our listeners.” (Simon Jack, 03:32)

The First Episode: Arnold Schwarzenegger

• The upcoming opener explores how “Arnie turned his unique acting talents into billions” (Zing Tsjeng, 03:35).
• Simon jokes: “And I also get to show off my unique acting talents.” (Simon Jack, 03:40)
• Zing responds playfully:

  “Well, if you want to judge Simon’s talents yourself, don’t forget to think, follow or subscribe... We’re back from the 6th of October.” (Zing Tsjeng, 03:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wealth Concentration:

  “The world’s billionaires now control an estimated $16 trillion in combined wealth, more than the GDP of every country on earth except the US and China.”
  — Simon Jack, 02:38

• On Listener Participation:

  “We’ve included several billionaires suggested by you, our listeners.”
  — Simon Jack, 03:32

• On Upcoming Episodes:

  “We’ll be diving into the worlds of AI, aviation, property, online retail, shipping, steel, sport, circus—yes, circus—and tech startups.”
  — Simon Jack, 03:16

• Friendly Banter:

  “And I also get to show off my unique acting talents.”
  — Simon Jack, 03:40

Important Timestamps

• 02:17 – 02:47: Introduction; podcast premise and question of “good, bad, or just another billionaire.”
• 02:47 – 03:07: Discussion of wealth concentration and growing importance.
• 03:07 – 03:25: Preview of new season’s subjects and sectors.
• 03:32 – 03:43: Listener involvement and details on the season’s start.
• 03:43 – 03:52: Hosts’ banter and podcast subscription reminder.

Closing Thoughts

This teaser sets the stage for a sweeping, global, and lively examination of how billionaires create, use, and sometimes abuse their fortunes. With a mix of historical icons and modern innovators, Season 2 promises compelling stories, thoughtful analysis, and the ever-present question: Will you consider these billionaires good, bad, or something more complex?

Next Episode Launches: October 6th, 2025.
Follow, subscribe, and get in touch to influence future episodes!